Secretary’s Tribal Advisory Committee

“Tribes need a seat at the decision-making table before policies are made that impact their communities. The creation of this new Advisory Committee is a timely and much-needed development that will ensure Tribal leaders can engage at the highest levels of the Department on the issues that matter most to their people.”

— Secretary Deb Haaland

For far too long, Tribal leaders have lived with decisions made by the Department of the Interior and federal agencies without having an opportunity to share their concerns or the needs of their communities. As the Department continues to renew its commitment to honor and strengthen the nation-to-nation relationship and empower Tribal Nations, leaders need to be at the decision-making table and have a voice in programs and policies that will have an impact on their people.

During the 2021 White House Tribal Nations Summit, Secretary Deb Haaland announced the formation of the Department’s first-ever Secretary’s Tribal Advisory Committee (STAC). The STAC will ensure Tribal leaders have direct and consistent contact and communication with the current and future Department officials to facilitate robust discussions on intergovernmental responsibilities, exchange views, share information and provide advice and recommendations regarding Departmental programs and funding that impact Tribal Nations.

This comes as the Department is collaborating with Tribal leaders on implementing President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and working to address some of the most urgent issues facing Indigenous communities, including the disproportionate impact of the climate crisis. This important move will further strengthen the Department’s federal trust relationship with federally recognized American Indian and Alaska Native Tribes and their leadership.

The STAC is composed of a primary Tribal representative from each of the 12 Bureau of Indian Affairs Regions (BIA), and one alternate member from each region. The members are appointed on a staggered term for up to two years. The Secretary, in consultation with the Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs, will designate one member of the STAC to serve as chairperson. 

Current 2023-2024 STAC Tribal Members are listed below by BIA Region.

Alaska Region   

  • Primary member: Gayla Hoseth; First Tribal Chief for the Curyung Tribal Council
  • Alternate member: Walter Jim; Chairman Orutsararmiut Native Council

Eastern Region   

  • Primary member: Stephanie Bryan; Tribal Chair, Poarch Creek Indians Nation
  • Alternate member: Ann Richardson; Chief, Rappahannock Tribe of Virginia

Eastern Oklahoma Region   

  • Primary member: Gary Batton; Chief, Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma   
  • Alternate member: Chuck Hoskin, Jr.; Principal Chief, Cherokee Nation    

Great Plains Region   

  • Primary member: Cora White Horse; Councilwoman, Oglala Sioux Tribe   
  • Alternate member: Janet Alkire; Chairwoman, Standing Rock Sioux Tribe 

Midwest Region   

  • Primary member: Whitney Gravelle; President, Bay Mills Indian Community    
  • Alternate member: Jon Greendeer; President, Ho-Chunk Nation

Navajo Region    

  • Primary member: Buu Nygren; President, Navajo Nation 
  • Alternate member: Crystalyne Curley; Speaker, Navajo Nation 

Northwest Region   

  • Primary member: Timothy Greene; Chairman, Makah Tribe  
  • Alternate member: Jarred-Michael-Erickson; Chairman, Colville Confederated Tribes  

Pacific Region   

  • Primary member: Erica Pinto; Chairwoman, Jamul Indian Village of California   
  • Alternate member: Meryl Picard; Chairwoman, Bishop Paiute Tribe    

Rocky Mountain Region   

  • Primary member: Jody LaMere; Councilwoman, Chippewa Cree Tribe of the Rocky Boy’s Reservation   
  • Alternate member: Jeffery Stiffarm; President, Fort Belknap Gros Ventre and Assiniboine Tribes

Southern Plains Region   

  • Primary member: Reggie Wassana; Governor, Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes of Oklahoma  
  • Alternate member: Lawrence SpottedBird; Chairman, Kiowa Tribe

Southwest Region   

  • Primary member: Christopher Moquino; Governor, Pueblo de San Ildefonso   
  • Alternate member: Michael Chavarria; Governor, Santa Clara Pueblo

Western Region   

  • Primary member: Terry Rambler; Chairman, San Carlos Apache Tribe
  •  Alternate member: Serrell Smokey; Chairman, Washoe Tribe of Nevada and California

Resources:

RELEASE: Department of the Interior to Solicit Nominations for First-Ever Secretary’s Tribal Advisory Committee

Secretary Haaland Announces Members of the First-Ever Secretary’s Tribal Advisory Committee

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